Going Beyond the Surface: How We Expose What Official Data Overlook

At the core of our ability to analyze organized crime is data. From homicide rates and drug seizures to satellite imagery and spreadsheets, data forms the backbone of how we track trends and conduct analysis.

However, government officials often highlight selective metrics that showcase the progress they want to emphasize, leaving out critical information that points to areas needing improvement. But at InSight Crime, we understand that data should never be taken at face value. Our role is to identify when statistics are used to craft a specific narrative and to uncover the overlooked aspects of the story.

Recently, for example, Colombia’s Defense Minister Iván Velásquez shared statistics showing a rise in seizures of cocaine, marijuana, coca base, and coca leaves from 2023 to 2024. The data also highlighted an increase in the confiscation of mining machinery and the shutdown of illegal mining operations.

While Velásquez’s statistics may be accurate and laudable, every metric requires context, so we analyzed data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which revealed a worsening humanitarian situation in Colombia. And while Velásquez emphasized government successes, such as drug seizures, these broader humanitarian figures tell a different story about the challenges faced in communities affected by organized crime.

Using data from the national police database (Sistema de Información Estadístico, Delincuencial, Contravencional y Operativo – SIEDCO), we also found that reports of extortion in the department of Atlántico, Colombia, surged from 199 in 2019 to 1,335 in 2023 — a staggering 570% increase. And while Velásquez pointed to increased seizures of mining machinery and operations against illegal mining, other data shows illegal mining continues to expand across Colombia. In Chocó, for example, our analysis of satellite images helped reveal a sharp increase in illegal gold mining and environmental destruction in recent years.?

Finally, we contrasted national with non-governmental data and analysis. In a recent conversation with the deputy director of the Colombian think tank, the Peace and Reconciliation Foundation (Pares), we discussed their latest report showing that groups like the Central General Staff (Estado Mayor Central - EMC) and the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia – AGC) have expanded their territorial control by 25% and 17%, respectively.

In sum, we actively seek additional datasets that provide fuller context, revealing discrepancies between national successes and the challenges seen at the local level. Here are some of the ways we do that:

Cross-referencing International Reports

Institutions like the United Nations often provide valuable insights through reports and datasets that highlight humanitarian, conflict, or socio-economic trends.

Monitoring Public Databases

Publicly available databases can reveal important trends that might otherwise go unnoticed, and part of our role is to dig into this information. While the government highlights successes in drug trafficking and illegal mining operations, other types of crime continue to rise steadily.

Using Geographic Tools and Satellite Imagery

Mapping key areas and conflict zones through satellite imagery can provide powerful visual evidence of illegal activities such as mining, deforestation, or drug production. This type of data often tells a more vivid story than raw numbers alone.

Regional and Local Data Monitoring

Regional statistics or departmental records often contain key data that national reports might overlook. Reports from regional institutions or local think tanks provide valuable insights through localized analysis of these statistics.

These are just a few of the many ways we dig for data and provide the necessary context for the metrics we encounter. To stay updated on our coverage of Colombia and our latest DataInSights stories, visit insightcrime.org.